Band

The Department of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Dubuque offers a major and minor in Fine & Performing Arts with emphases in music, theatre, or dance. For more information about majoring in the Fine and Performing Arts, visit our academic page.

In addition to our academic programs, the department has a rich tradition of bands open to all students on campus. All UD students are invited and encouraged to explore the many opportunities available. Ensembles are open to all university students, regardless of major. Academic credit is available for participation in performance ensembles.

2016-17 PERFORMANCES

Fall Wind Ensemble Concert "Something Borrowed"

Wednesday, October 19

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Fall Jazz Ensemble Concert "Legends"

Wednesday, October 26

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Christmas at Heritage Center

Friday, December 2

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

*Snow date: Saturday, December 3, 2:00 p.m.

Nicholas Bratcher Fall Recital "From the Mouth of Babes"

Wednesday, December 7

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Faculty Recital

Wednesday, February 8

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Great River Wind Symphony (UD, Clarke, & Loras)

Saturday, February 25

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Spring Wind Ensemble Concert "Red, White, and Blue"

Thursday, April 6

7:30 p.m.

Butler Hall

Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert "Swing into Spring"

Wednesday, April 19

7:30 p.m.

Knapp Stage

James and the Giant Peach

Friday, April 28

7:00 p.m.

Butler Hall

Saturday, April 29

10:00 a.m.

Butler Hall

Sunday, April 30

2:00 p.m.

Butler Hall

ENSEMBLES

Wind EnsembleThe University of Dubuque Wind Ensemble studies excellent band literature and provides wind and percussion players of all majors with an artistic opportunity to perform in a concert ensemble. The group also serves as an outlet for vocal and instrumental FPA music majors to study a secondary instrument and provide a lab setting for conducting students and guest artists. Wind Ensemble performs between two and four concerts annually.

Membership is open to all students regardless of major, and university-owned instruments are available for use. A short part-placement audition is required to determine seating in the ensemble. Wind Ensemble is available for one hour of credit for non-majors, as well as fulfills ensemble requirements for FPA music majors.

The ensemble meets in the fall and spring semesters on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Heritage Center's Straatmeyer Rehearsal Room.

Chamber WindsThe UD Chamber Winds, created in 2014 by conductor Nicholas Bratcher, is comprised of musicians taken from the Wind Ensemble each semester. The group performs pieces derived from various masterworks from all styles and periods, arranged for mixed instrumentation for four to sixteen musicians. The history of music for the wind band had its beginnings in the “bands” of earlier periods, and often there were no more than six to eight musicians in such ensembles, which Chamber Winds hopes to recreate.

The ensemble meets in the fall and spring semesters on Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in Heritage Center's Straatmeyer Rehearsal Room.

Jazz EnsembleThe University of Dubuque Jazz Ensemble performs diverse literature that ranges from big band swing to modern jazz-fusion. The ensemble, as well as it's break-out jazz combo, provide ample opportunity for study of ensemble jazz sound as well as solo technique. Jazz Ensemble performs several concerts each year, both on and off-campus.

The ensemble meets in the fall and spring semesters on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Heritage Center's Straatmeyer Rehearsal Room.

Jazz ComboThe University of Dubuque Jazz Combo is comprised of UD student musicians, performing jazz literature in a more intimate, jam-like setting as a departure from the Jazz Ensemble's big band sound. The ensemble provides ample opportunity for study of improvisation, listening skills, and solo technique.

The ensemble meets in the fall and spring semesters on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in Heritage Center's Straatmeyer Rehearsal Room.